Korean Job Discussion Forums

[likklebear]

Hi all

I hope someone can enlighten me on this. I'm currently applying for public schools with EPIK but was also considering hagwons as I would actually prefer to teach a smaller class, even if it means less holidays. I have a BA in Film and Broardcast production and will have completed 133hr TESOL by July. However, I've been reading in the forums and had gathered that hagwons hire mostly Caucasians BUT I am British Chinese. I'm just wondering if anyone knows if there could be a possiblity of getting hired or if anyone who is of a different race and was hired? Any info would be great.

Many thanks

[Linda868]

removed

[fl4mers]

Try contacting aclipse. They hire for the Chung Dahm Institute hagwons and I hear they hire quite a few gyopos (Korean-Americans), so they might not be quite as discriminating of your Chinese heritage. Good Luck!

www.aclipse.net

The website is really informative as well in case you need any info on visas, living and stuff. Oh and they hire outside of Korea, in China and Japan as well in case that would be something that would interest you.

[likklebear]

So far I've asked quite a few recruiters and they've told me they prefer white american females. lol oh well, I'll wait and see what happens with EPIK/GEPIK.

Linda868 - Thanks, I think I'll need all the luck I can get.

Fl4mers - I heard quite bad reviews about Chung Dahn Institute so I think i'll avoid them. But thanks for the info anyway.

[raindrop]

You will get less interview offers, but you'll still be able to find a job. The ones that ask you for an interview will more than likely be serious about finding a qualified instructor than a place that's just looking to hire you because you can speak English. For non-white job hunters, public school are less discriminating of your looks. Good luck, and I'm sure you'll be able to find a job if you keep looking.

[Troglodyte]

If you really want more interviews, photoshop the photo that you send them, or send one that shows you from a distance (maybe playing with kids or something) in which it's not clear that you're non-Caucasian.

Really the recruiters don't care about your qualifications. They just care about getting paid their commission for finding you. If it's harder for them to sell you to the school, they'll put less effort into finding your a placement and focus on the ones that the schools are going to hire faster.

Something the everyone needs to remember is that almost all recruiters are scum. They are not interested in helping the teachers or the schools. They are just adding in an unnecessary middle step in the hiring procedure. There are a few exceptions to the rule but those tend to be small recruiting companies that are based in Britain, North America or Australia and are run by former (native speaker) teachers. If you send a nice attractive photo (i.e. you look fun, young, pretty/handsome, and that you like playing with kids) they'll find you a job a lot easier. If you don't have any pictures of you with kids, then ask a neighbour's kid or a niece/nephew to make some photos of you together doing some studious things. If you have a friend who works at a school, ask them to snaps some shots of you in a classroom or hanging out with kids at an extra curricular activity. They are worth gold. THOSE will get you far more jobs in Korea than your TESOL certificate.